USTA Professional member, Lauren Goring of Florida, is the ultimate example of the transition from athlete to coach to judge, acquiring a wealth of knowledge along the way. Inside Loop recently talked with her about her baton twirling journey.
Inside Loop: Tell us a little bit about your twirling history and what inspired you to start judging.
The first time I picked up a baton was in the early 2000s when my mother enrolled me in a summer program. Initially, it was just a way to keep my sisters and me occupied until school started again, but I vividly recall our recital performance to the song 'Summer Nights' from the movie 'Grease.' That experience ignited my passion for baton twirling. From there, I twirled recreationally for approximately two years before delving into the competitive side, both as an individual and a team member. Some of my most unforgettable twirling memories are from 2012-2014 when I was a University of Florida Gatorette and a part of Synergy's 'Tron' Team A in the 2015 International Cup, where I helped my team win the Gold Medal!
Following the 2015 International Cup, I made the transition from being an athlete to becoming a coach. It was during my coaching journey that I found myself increasingly curious about the intricacies of scoring at competitions. I often pondered the 'why' behind scores and what differentiated a routine scoring a 3.5 to one earning a 6.0. This curiosity led me to undertake the Judge's Level 1 exam, but it is what a judge does behind the table that continues to inspire me to be a full-time judge.
Judging allows me to play a meaningful role in an athlete's journey. I am able to offer constructive feedback through critique tapes or score sheets, where these comments can help encourage and grow an athlete's skill. It also presents unique challenges, requiring me to analyze each routine meticulously and assign a score. Additionally, it allows me to remain a lifelong learner because the sport of baton twirling continues to evolve and redefine itself. One new area I am looking forward to learning about is the WBTF New Judging System that will be implemented in the 2026 World Freestyle & Rhythmic Twirl Championship.
Inside Loop: If you could look into the future, what do you think you'd see at a baton contest in 20 years?
Goring: As my imagination starts to build this future world, my mind turns to how our contests can become more environmentally sustainable. At the judge's tables, you would see the presence of electronics, such as tablets, taking center stage. These tablets would be the replacement of all those paper score sheets and paper judge's masters. The tablets would be used to record and transmit the judges' scores to the tabulation team, who in turn would relay this information to a screen or jumbotron for the audience to see. The tablets can then also be used to continue providing constructive feedback to our athletes by writing or typing our comments on a document that can be sent to the athlete's coach.
Inside Loop: Tell us three things the baton world doesn't know about you.
Goring:
- I started a Physician Assistant program in October! My first career was as a health educator-coach for patients in a primary care clinic. Even though I enjoyed coaching patients through lifestyle changes, I yearned for more responsibility and being able to manage patients' health. After I graduate, I plan to continue using health coaching techniques with my patients.
- I love playing video and board games. My favorite genre of video games is action/adventure role-playing games; these include Horizon Zero Dawn and Subnatuica. For board games, I like competitive and card management games such as Terraforming Mars, Wingspan, and Catan.
- I met my husband in high school, and we started dating during band camp! He was an alto saxophone player, and I was a twirler and color guard member. We have been married for four years and have been together for 13 years!